Archive for June, 2007

Asks Olivia, "I’m in my twenties, and in the process of losing weight. I’m down to a 12 now, and working on getting a size or two slimmer. I have an hourglass figure, [but] I really don’t know how to dress for my size! I feel tooold for the mega trendy stuffgoing on right now, but I feel like a 40 year old soccer mom when I stick with the basics (no offense to 40 year old soccer moms out there). So, can you help me pick out some stuff to wear that will show off my new figure, and will make me look like I’m in my 20s?"

Tell us, what do you think Olivia should wear to show off her hourglass silhouette? Pleaseleave your advice in the comments of this post.

As usual, the best answer (as chosen by Olivia) by Monday, June 25 gets a treat from Omiru’s goodie closet.

Q: I’ve seen pictures of guys (Hollywood-types) wearing black ties with white shirts and grey suits. I like the look, but is it business-appropriate? My sense is no - it seems more like a night-out / formal / dressy occasion combination. What do you think? A:
While the look is decidedly formal, it’s still business appropriate in certain settings. The more visibility, authority, or client contact you have, the more formal your dress should be. And depending on where you’re located, business dress may be more or less formal. Rule of thumb for the US? The further east you are, the more formal the dress.

Q: I’m going on a cruise to Alaska in early July, and I was wondering what clothes to bring. How should I dress for the changing weather conditions without looking frumpy?

A:
Alaska tends to be in the 60s and 70s during July, with nighttime temperatures dipping into the 40s and 50s. To adjust for the changing weather conditions as you travel up to Alaska and back, it’s all about layering. Your goal is to be comfortable in every situation–instead of wearing (frumpy) too-thick clothing that isn’t as versatile as you’d like. Here’s six tips that will get you layering your clothes in style:

(1) Start with a body-conscious foundation layer, such as this fitted striped top from J Crew.(2) Next, place looser-fitting garments over this foundation layer. Stiffer fabrics that will hold their shape can work nicely here.(3) For the top layer, either (1) provide a stark contrast to, or (2) echo some of the detailing in the garments below.(4) Let the inner garments peek out from under the outer garments.(5) Vary the length of the tops and bottoms to get the full layered effect.(6) Finish the outfit with standout accessories.

Omiru’s take:We love bright colors–especially for summer, and particularly for this season. What’s special about Electric Blue is it’s nearly universally flattering. On dark skin tones, electric blue really pops. And on fairer skin tones, the color adds life to your complexion. Style tip? With a color as bold as this, keep your outfits simple. Try electric blue as a solid colored dress–or buy a simple top in this bold color.

Next Question: With oversized handbags still dominating the accessories scene, we’re pleased to see that small Clutch Handbags are gaining in popularity. But what do
you think? Tell us, are Clutch Handbags In, or are they Out? Cast your
vote on
the sidebar!

Q: I’m getting married in August. Would you please recommend some affordable wedding-appropriate shoes?

A: Before we launch into our wedding shoe picks, we want to share three footwear tips for the bride to be–and other members of the wedding party, for that matter:

(1) Figure Flattery Still Matters.For figure flattery, the slingback shoes are going to be better than the ankle-wrap shoes. The slingback shoes create a longer, leaner leg line. But then again, the ankle wrap shoes don’t fall off.

(2) Break in Your Shoes Early!I’d recommend wearing them indoors and pacing back and forth on a hard surface, like linoleum, tile, or hardwood floors. Then when they start to hurt, you can just sit down. This sounds horrifically boring, but you can multitask. I’d recommend readng or watching TV while you do this.

(3) Looking to wear these shoes later? Go Metallic.Metallic shoes are going to be more versatile than white shoes. Metallic shoes can be paired with other dresses in the future, so you don’t have to go out and buy more special occasion shoes.

And without further ado, here’s our top four picks for bridal shoes, arranged by increasing price: